Small(ish), yet refined?

Small(ish), yet refined?

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Discussion

Trevor555

4,440 posts

84 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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bennno said:
Yeti is a good piece of kit. Drives well, rides as nicely as anything without a 2 ton weight and air suspension - wouldn't discount without looking.
Go and check a Yeti out, he may be surprised just how nice they are in a high spec trim.

And look at the Golfs, nicer dash layout than a A3 in my opinion.

poing

8,743 posts

200 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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Synchromesh said:
I've also discovered the Peugeot 3008 (ventured outside of my German barge comfort zone!) - anyone had one?
Far better than most on here will give them credit for, a really comfy long distance car. Not particularly quiet and the boot is a good size but silly design with the lower half folding down but being really cheap feeling. The recent facelift is a good looking car.

Haven't tried the new petrol engines in them though so can't be sure what they are like, the faster diesel has a decent turn of speed in the real world but not sure if that's still available.

Synchromesh

Original Poster:

2,428 posts

166 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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poing said:
Synchromesh said:
I've also discovered the Peugeot 3008 (ventured outside of my German barge comfort zone!) - anyone had one?
Far better than most on here will give them credit for, a really comfy long distance car. Not particularly quiet and the boot is a good size but silly design with the lower half folding down but being really cheap feeling. The recent facelift is a good looking car.

Haven't tried the new petrol engines in them though so can't be sure what they are like, the faster diesel has a decent turn of speed in the real world but not sure if that's still available.
I'm talking about the new model (believe it's all new rather than a facelift). No split tailgate as far as I can see.

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

135 months

Monday 29th January 2018
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One thing that hasn't been mentioned so far, is the Lexus IS300h. Good NVH, space, about the same size as a 3 series, and probably smoother than a twin turbo diesel.
Decent Spec too and it's a Lexus, so well built and reliability shouldn't be an issue.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Toed64

299 posts

120 months

Tuesday 30th January 2018
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Slightly left field, but these are a surprisingly nice place to be:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CR-V-2-0-i-VTEC-E...

ilikejam

1,089 posts

116 months

Tuesday 30th January 2018
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Synchromesh said:
I'm talking about the new model (believe it's all new rather than a facelift). No split tailgate as far as I can see.
We've got the new 5008 GT Line which is just a slightly longer, 7 seat version of the 3008. The interior is one of the nicest places I've ever sat - better than my B9 A4 which was often cited as one of the best interiors on the market. You need to go and sit in one to really appreciate it. It's almost on a par with the B9 for sound proofing on the move as well (in 1.6 diesel auto guise anyway).

As someone else mentioned, he'll be so used to his Merc that using a touchscreen for A/C controls, radio, etc. would take a bit of getting used to, but the system is responsive and works well. The digital dash is a thing of beauty and as good as the VAG one in terms of layout and design. The small steering wheel makes it easy to manoeuvre around car parks, but can make the car seem twitchy until you get used to it as smaller inputs have a bigger impact.

I'd have thought you might be able to find a 2017 GT Line with under 20k for your budget - not sure it would stretch to the top spec GT. The standard part cloth/part leather seats are nice on the GT Line, but not heated so look out for ones with that option or the upgraded leather seats which come with heating and massage. Also push button start and electric tailgate are not standard but come together in one option pack.

Edited by ilikejam on Tuesday 30th January 10:11

anonymous-user

54 months

Tuesday 30th January 2018
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An Infiniti Q30 or QX30 would fit the bill

ilikejam

1,089 posts

116 months

Tuesday 30th January 2018
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ilikejam said:
Synchromesh said:
I'm talking about the new model (believe it's all new rather than a facelift). No split tailgate as far as I can see.
I'd have thought you might be able to find a 2017 GT Line with under 20k for your budget...
No pictures yet, but a bit of haggling and maybe a bit of budget-stretching gets this, which seems to have most options ticked (although they then go on to list the standard spec so worth checking!)

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Croutons

9,876 posts

166 months

Tuesday 30th January 2018
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talksthetorque said:
One thing that hasn't been mentioned so far, is the Lexus IS300h. Good NVH, space, about the same size as a 3 series, and probably smoother than a twin turbo diesel.
Decent Spec too and it's a Lexus, so well built and reliability shouldn't be an issue.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
Not mentioned, because it's not a hatch...

talksthetorque

10,815 posts

135 months

Wednesday 31st January 2018
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Croutons said:
Not mentioned, because it's not a hatch...
ANd I've just noticed he specifically excluded it.
getmecoat

Loyly

17,996 posts

159 months

Wednesday 31st January 2018
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Synchromesh said:
Apologies if that all sounds a bit dismissive. Just trying to be realistic about what my dad will think of them.
It sounds like your dad is after the moon on a stick. Have your thought about telling him to shop for his own car?

GreatGranny

9,128 posts

226 months

Wednesday 31st January 2018
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Interiors on the Volvos are pretty good.
Not flashy but well made and will last.
Just have a look inside old V70s etc..

We were thinking of the V40 but they are rather cramped in the back for 3 kids but maybe ok if only seating 4.

We went for the V60 in the end but they are quite a long car.

Only way to know is to go and see them and have a drive.

Synchromesh

Original Poster:

2,428 posts

166 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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By way of a conclusion, in the end he went for a BMW M140i. Perhaps a bit sporty for his liking (although he spec'd adaptive dampers so the ride is pretty good), but the only way of getting a something modern and Golf sized with more than four cylinders. Shame there's no non-M 140i really - that drivetrain with SE suspension but minus the big wheels and aggressive styling would've be perfect.

DoubleD

22,154 posts

108 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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The M140 doesnt have aggressive styling. It just looks like every other 1 series.

syl

693 posts

75 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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yajeed said:
Left field;Tesla Model 3 and offset the extra cost through reduced running costs and depreciation?
But "quality and refinement" were top priorities.

oop north

1,596 posts

128 months

Saturday 26th May 2018
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Synchromesh said:
By way of a conclusion, in the end he went for a BMW M140i. Perhaps a bit sporty for his liking (although he spec'd adaptive dampers so the ride is pretty good), but the only way of getting a something modern and Golf sized with more than four cylinders. Shame there's no non-M 140i really - that drivetrain with SE suspension but minus the big wheels and aggressive styling would've be perfect.
Interesting - I am a big fine of refined cars and quite like the idea of a small one. Wouldn’t have thought a 140 wouldn’t be very quiet and refined though